PETER RODRIGUES will always treasure the memories of Southampton’s greatest day on the football field, but memories are all he has left.

Behind the heart-warming story of how Welsh international full-back Rodrigues came to lead the Saints to one of the most celebrated cup upsets seen at Wembley, runs another tale with a bitter taste.

Southampton’s 1976 FA Cup victory delighted the nation. The club from the second tier of English football managed by the avuncular Lawrie McMenemy were meant to be no-hopers against the dashing stars of Manchester United.

Sir Bobby Charlton, no less, had predicted a 6-0 triumph, but United’s open-mouthed fans watched on incredulously as Bobby Stokes poached the game’s only goal seven minutes from time.

Rodrigues, who 12 months earlier had been released on a free transfer by Sheffield Wednesday and, at 31, thought his career was over, led the Saints up the Wembley steps to accept the cup from the Queen. He was the last captain to have the honour until the Queen attended the first final at the new Wembley in 2007.

He also picked up his winners’ medal, probably the most treasured item of all for any player.

On his daughter Amanda’s wedding day, he handed her the medal believing it was being passed on to be kept in the family. “I remember standing on the landing, me in my top hat and tails, her looking a million dollars in her wedding dress and from my top pocket I gave her my medal,” said Rodrigues, now 69.

That blissful memory was shattered a few years later when, despite his pleas, Amanda decided to sell the medal at auction. “It didn’t go down well with me at the time and we haven’t really spoken since unfortunately,” he said. “It was not just that, she also put an article in the local paper to exonerate herself saying what a not-so-wonderful father I was. It is sad but these things happen.”

Rodrigues celebrates with his Saints team mates after beating United in 1976 [PA]

I remember standing on the landing, me in my top hat and tails, her looking a million dollars in her wedding dress and from my top pocket I gave her my medal

Peter Rodrigues

The medal was bought for £10,200 by Southampton’s then club chairman Rupert Lowe and is now on display in the foyer at St Mary’s. “In a funny sort of way it has ended up in the right place,” says Rodrigues, who had also given his cup final shirt to his son, the match ball to a friend and other memorabilia to charity auctions.

Now, over 37 years later, Southampton visit Manchester United tomorrow in a Premier League match on the back of their excellent start to the season; fourth in the table, four points and five places ahead of their opponents.

No wonder comparisons go back to the greatest day in their history.

Rodrigues, who won 40 caps for Wales, was recruited by McMenemy 12 months before the final as short-term cover for young full-back Steve Mills, who had been injured in a car accident.

Rodrigues recalled: “Lawrie bluntly said, ‘Once the kid is fit he will be in the side but here is a two-year contract’. It meant I could continue playing football, which I love.”

But Mills never recovered and Rodrigues stayed put. He also took over the captaincy when Mick Channon gave it up after a disagreement with McMenemy. “It was fate I suppose, which I believe in to a degree,” said Rodrigues. “To sign for two years, to be given the captaincy, to walk out behind Lawrie at Wembley with the team behind me was a wonderful experience and a very proud one.

“It was mentioned by the TV commentator when the camera panned down to me: ‘A year ago Rodrigues was on the scrapheap’. I am a realist, and that was the case.

“We were underdogs by a long way against a United team that were near top of the league.

Rodrigues is disappointed that Nicola Cortese is not embracing Southampton's ex-players [GETTY]

“It was an outstanding thing for us to get to the final in the first place. We saw them in their semi-final against Derby and they were absolutely magical and you think, ‘Oh dear, we are in for a game here’.

“Gordon Hill was strutting his stuff on my wing, Steve Coppell on the other wing. Stuart Pearson, Lou Macari, the Greenhoff brothers, Alex Stepney in goal, Gerry Daly – they had some stars in there.

“I remember a Southern TV show saying, ‘The two Saints full-backs will be under severe pressure from Hill and Coppell and Rodrigues, in the twilight of his career, might be destroyed’.”

It did not turn out that way, Southampton weathering United’s youthful exuberance and then making history for the south coast club that had never won one of the game’s major honours.

Rodrigues, who became a publican and then delivery driver before retirement, still follows the Saints, although he believes the club, with its shiny new ground, is losing sight of its homely past. “I saw the Swansea game recently and was suitably impressed. They look a useful side,” said Rodrigues.

“My heart is in the club and I’m pleased they are doing well.

“I have no axe to grind, but I am just disappointed the chairman, Nicola Cortese, does not embrace the past and the ex-players. It is an important part of any club.”